A discrete area of erectile tissue is present in the submucosa over the anterior cartilaginous nasal septum in some individuals. Vasodilatation of the this septal swell body can be a cause of significant nasal obstruction. A septal swell body may initially be confused with a deviation of the nasal septum, however, the septal body can easily be identified by palpation, as the erectile tissue can readily be compressed, unlike the cartilage of a septal deviation.